Tom Brady: No. 1 feeling I have is gratitude

Posted by Josh Alper on February 9, 2018, 11:29 AM EST

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Friday started with a report in the Boston Herald indicating Patriots quarterback Tom Brady would skip offseason work with the team if he doesn’t get a contract extension rivaling the one Jimmy Garoppolo signed with the 49ers on Thursday.

That report has been retracted after radio station WEEI reported someone other than Brady’s agent Don Yee contacted Herald writer Ron Borges claiming to be Yee and Borges went with the story on information provided in their communications.

There’s been no direct response from Brady to any of it. He also hasn’t weighed in directly on Malcolm Butler‘s benching or retirement chatter regarding Rob Gronkowski, but he did make a post to his Instagram account on Friday that focused on gratitude for everything that went on in the 2017 season.

“It has taken me a few days to reflect on our SB loss as well as the great season our team had. There are many emotions when you come up short of your goal. And they are all part of learning and growing in this journey of life. Learning turns everything into a positive. And the number one feeling I have had the past 4 days is gratitude. Gratitude to my teammates for the incredible effort given all season regardless of the challenges we faced.”

Brady went on to express gratitude to his loved ones, the organization, the team’s coaching staff, the Eagles “for bringing out the best in us and being gracious winners” and Patriots fans.

Why doesn’t Brady shake hands when he loses a Superbowl? Every time he wins, the other QB congratulates him. But when he loses, why does he get to run off the field without congratulating the other QB?

Again. This is not a football story. I could care less about how Brady feels (it’s all BS anyway, his true character has shown over and over again), I could care less about his or anyone’s instagram account. I want to hear about football.

billymutt says:
February 9, 2018 at 11:37 am
And despite that, lots of people will continue to hate Tom Brady. A sad reflection on our society today. SMH.
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Brady is not really hated that much. It’s mostly the arrogance of the pinkhat Pats fanbase that makes the team hated.

People would like the Patriots more if not for the arrogance of the team, their fans and that region of the country in general. If you’re not from New England, you’re looked down upon up there immediately before you even have a chance because they don’t like outsiders. People are also tired of all the controversy that seems to follow the Patriots in their tactics to get an edge too. And before we all get yet another lecture from the New England area about the way that other fans should view the Patriots, they need to remember how they feel about the Yankees. “Do as I say, not as I do” should be the moniker of the Boston sports fan.

A lesson for all the haters and losers in both sports and politics: Winners are grateful for the opportunities that their efforts create, regardless of the result. Losers and haters are bitter at the achievements and success of others.

steverolley says:
February 9, 2018 at 11:39 am
Why doesn’t Brady shake hands when he loses a Superbowl? Every time he wins, the other QB congratulates him. But when he loses, why does he get to run off the field without congratulating the other QB?

I think this is a fair question for Brady

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I got no problem with this.

Like Peyton Manning – who did not shake Brees’s hand either when he lost to him- he knows that the Super Bowl losers have to step aside for the winners and let them have the spotlight.

I don’t want cameras on Brady wandering around the field looking for Foles after the game I want them on the Eagles.

I am no Pat homer but Brady did the right thing, and he was actually photographed greeting Eagles players on the field as he left it and off camera in the locker room area.

Noting against Tom’s talent which is off the chart and hands down, greatest qb i’ve seen play…but a qb who didn’t congratulate the other teams qb at midfield is classless…and only doing it when you win is just a poor display of sportsmanship IMO

Brady is GOAT. Why the Patriots only pay him back up money is a mystery. I guess that is the Patriots Way. Shameful. Guess here is he has a side deal with Kraft that is deeply hidden from the NFL. Now, that’s the patriot way.

For those of you calling TB a “class act,” explain to the rest of us why every other single opposing QB in a Super Bowl congratulated TB immediately following a loss to the patriots but in every single patriots’ loss, TB has immediately left the field without congratulating the opposing QB.

steverolley says:
February 9, 2018 at 11:39 am
Why doesn’t Brady shake hands when he loses a Superbowl? Every time he wins, the other QB congratulates him. But when he loses, why does he get to run off the field without congratulating the other QB?

I think this is a fair question for Brady
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How do you know he doesn’t? Every game the Pats lost this year I saw him congratulate the opposing QB\coach after the game.

steelcurtainn says:
February 9, 2018 at 11:47 am
These are things you usually say after a loss. Can’t win them all. Eagles were just better.
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“Can’t win them all.” It’s almost paraphrasing what Brady said … ?!?!?!?

ajwalkin123 says:
February 9, 2018 at 11:48 am
Brady has no ability he is a system qb every pass is to a wide open receiver Brady is a stiff can’t run can’t catch can’t do anything except throw 10 yard passes to wide open receivers
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Greatest system QB of all time. All the non-system QBs are jealous. Just sayin’

Tom does seem like a great guy but he knew Affleck was having an affair with his Nanny and let her wear his SB rings on their private jet and posted the pic on social media. How does that make Jennifer Garner feel? AGAIN Tom seems like an Awesome dude but let’s be transparent.

clemenza58 says:
February 9, 2018 at 11:51 am
People would like the Patriots more if not for the arrogance of the team, their fans and that region of the country in general. If you’re not from New England, you’re looked down upon up there immediately before you even have a chance because they don’t like outsiders. People are also tired of all the controversy that seems to follow the Patriots in their tactics to get an edge too. And before we all get yet another lecture from the New England area about the way that other fans should view the Patriots, they need to remember how they feel about the Yankees. “Do as I say, not as I do” should be the moniker of the Boston sports fan.
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It’s a simple mantra that really extends to every team in every fan base. If you’re going to make cheating claims do the fans a favor and prove it actually happened. Don’t double down on stupid banking on PR naive fans will gobble it up whole.

The Yankees hate is founded in jealousy. Pure and simple. All things being equal that sounds more plausible with regard to the Patriots than propagating a myth about regional arrogance.

jjackwagon says:
February 9, 2018 at 11:56 am
“IF” he was as classy like you guys say, he wouldn’t run off the field like a petulant child every time he loses. Guys with class at least shake hands with the victor.
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Or he might have actually shook hands.

I love to hate Brady(still not over my Rams Super Bowl Loss to him), but my respect for him continually grows. This guy could seriously write a book teaching all athletes how to be classy and lead by example. No matter how much crap gets thrown at him, he continually takes the high road. One of, if not the greatest of all time, but not just on the field. Makes it hard to hate him, but I still try lol.

ajwalkin123 says:
February 9, 2018 at 11:48 am
Brady has no ability he is a system qb every pass is to a wide open receiver Brady is a stiff can’t run can’t catch can’t do anything except throw 10 yard passes to wide open receivers

“I wonder if he read that Borges column and thought, “hey, that’s not a bad idea.””

No, no he didn’t. Don’t you realize additional money is effectively meaningless to Brady at this point? He and his wife are worth over half a billion dollars. Brady is far more concerned with having a good team around him than a few more millions.

reddzen says:
February 9, 2018 at 11:46 am
Again. This is not a football story. I could care less about how Brady feels (it’s all BS anyway, his true character has shown over and over again), I could care less about his or anyone’s instagram account. I want to hear about football.
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Do you want us to get off your lawn, too?

Why doesn’t Brady shake hands when he loses a Superbowl? Every time he wins, the other QB congratulates him. But when he loses, why does he get to run off the field without congratulating the other QB?

I think this is a fair question for Brady
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Actually Tom shook Fox’s hand and embraced him while leaving the field. There is a picture of that. He also stopped by the Eagles locker room area and took the time to congratulate multiple Eagles players. There is also proof of that. Barnett was effusive in his praise of Tom for doing that. I know it’s a knee jerk reaction to take shots at those who reach the pinnacle, and I’m guilty as charged, but I wish that wasn’t the knee jerk reaction. Brady is an athlete that has never been handed anything and has fought for everything he has accomplished. That I admire and respect.

To be fair I think Brady has had his moments when he can be a bit arrogant himself… remember when he scoffed on camera at Burress’s prediction that the Pats would score 17 points in Super Bowl 42? Or laughing at the Ravens telling them to read the rulebook. Neither of those ended well for him.

Tom does seem like a great guy but he knew Affleck was having an affair with his Nanny and let her wear his SB rings on their private jet and posted the pic on social media. How does that make Jennifer Garner feel? AGAIN Tom seems like an Awesome dude but let’s be transparent.
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In the spirit of transparency, it looks like you get all your news from TMZ, People Magazine and PFT. Pick up and read a Hemingway or Jack London novel, it will get you on the right track.

reddzen says:
February 9, 2018 at 11:46 am
Again. This is not a football story. I could care less about how Brady feels (it’s all BS anyway, his true character has shown over and over again), I could care less about his or anyone’s instagram account. I want to hear about football.

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Lol, so Brady doing a cool and decent thing is a rage trigger huh?

“Like my comment if you believe doug pederson is by far the greatest coach”

By far? Lolz hell no. He’s done very well this past season, and had a great Super Bowl in which they barely won the game.

Now let’s see him get the Eagles back to the Super Bowl. In case you don’t realize it, the Eagles now have a bullseye on their backs and every team, no matter how crappy, will pull out all the stops to try and beat the champs. Let’s see him coach his way through next year’s minefield shall we?

steverolley says:
February 9, 2018 at 11:39 am
Why doesn’t Brady shake hands when he loses a Superbowl? Every time he wins, the other QB congratulates him. But when he loses, why does he get to run off the field without congratulating the other QB?
I think this is a fair question for Brady

————-

Except he did congratulate and hug Fletcher Cox on the field and he did speak to each of the eagles players he saw before leaving the stadium and he congratulated them personally. So maybe go read those stories before jumping on a false narrative.

ahummler72 says:
February 9, 2018 at 12:31 pm
Classy? lol…. How about shaking the hand of the opposing QB at the end of the game !

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Brady hugged and congratulated Fletcher Cox before leaving the field and he shook hands with and congratulated all the Eagles before leaving the stadium. So you basically have no idea what you are talking about.

ajwalkin123 says:
February 9, 2018 at 11:48 am
Brady has no ability he is a system qb every pass is to a wide open receiver Brady is a stiff can’t run can’t catch can’t do anything except throw 10 yard passes to wide open receivers
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Theevidencesaysotherwise says:
February 9, 2018 at 12:14 pm
Brady has showed his lack of class by cheating and lying. He also shows his true character by cussing out cameraman.
Those are facts.

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Brady was never caught or punished for cheating. He was cleared by the court for lack of evidence. However, the appeals court decided the NFL could punish him anyway, so they did. What the NFL did to him is shameful. At least Brady won 2 Super Bowls and made it to 3 after deflategate.

Ken Davis says:
February 9, 2018 at 12:20 pm
Overall, I believe he is a class act and I am an Eagles fan. I would like him to shake hands after losing but it is a minor issue. The guy is the GOAT and still works his butt off. I give him credit.

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Please take 5 min and go look up Brady’s behavior after the Super Bowl in terms of congratulating the Eagles players. It was pretty great.

reddzen says:
February 9, 2018 at 11:46 am
Again. This is not a football story. I could care less about how Brady feels (it’s all BS anyway, his true character has shown over and over again), I could care less about his or anyone’s instagram account. I want to hear about football.

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What does that mean about his true character? You don’t have to like him, but he’s maybe the most genuine guy in the NFL. Much more so than Peyton Manning or others, selling bud light and Buicks to steal money from the common folk while riding around in their Ferarris and drinking Cristal.

I guess class means spygate, deflategate, cheating, lying, whining and not shake the other teams hand after you lose in multiple superbowls. Sorry, a guy like this cant be classified as classy or the goat.

Braz says:
February 9, 2018 at 11:50 am
billymutt says:
February 9, 2018 at 11:37 am
And despite that, lots of people will continue to hate Tom Brady. A sad reflection on our society today. SMH.
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Brady is not really hated that much. It’s mostly the arrogance of the pinkhat Pats fanbase that makes the team hated.
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Yeah those 17 year pink hat fans are real phonies…is this more objectivity from you?

ajwalkin123 says:
February 9, 2018 at 11:48 am
Brady has no ability he is a system qb every pass is to a wide open receiver Brady is a stiff can’t run can’t catch can’t do anything except throw 10 yard passes to wide open receivers.

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I think instead of listening to a hater I will listen to the dbacks that he has played against over the last 17 years that have explained over and over again how Brady puts the ball into impossibly tight spaces where only the WR can get it.

Same crap trolls a few years back when McDaniels beat the Pats in Denver. BB and Josh didn’t shake hands after the game. Then a year later when the video of the Pats for that year came out there’s video of them talking before the game and agreeing to not shake but catch up later. Amazing how many people react without all the information yet it’s available so readily these days. Love the holier than thou’s that have less class than the people they speak of.

Hope he thanks Walt Colman for the truck rule that kicked off his carrer.
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Haha that was 17 years ago. Not over it yet? Wern’t you guys back in the the SB the following year? Yup, and blew that as well. Instead of focusing on the Pats from 17 years ago, how about worrying about your overpaid coach, overpaid QB, and team that is moving to a new state since Oakland was such a cesspool.

All you haters who are talking about Brady being a ‘petulant child’ because he doesn’t shake the opposing QB hand after a loss are missing something very obvious – his approach is different. He just makes it his business not to lose. And he’s better at it than your QB.

The older you get the more you learn to appreciate things. Grandpa Brady is at that stage now. I think the Patriots make it back to SB next season and hopefully we face Garoppolo and the 49ers. It’s going to be epic.

Hmmm, let’s see…he has five Super Bowl rings, a super model wife, healthy kids, good looks, more money than he’ll ever be able to spend, worshiped by millions and will go down as the greatest football player of all time. Yeah, I can understand why Tom Brady feels gratitude.

Again. This is not a football story. I could care less about how Brady feels (it’s all BS anyway, his true character has shown over and over again), I could care less about his or anyone’s instagram account. I want to hear about football.
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And yet, here you are commenting and caring, while exposing the fact that you apparently don’t like the greatest QB to ever play the game, and I’m not even a Pats fan.

Just because you can’t comprehend that this is absolutely about football, does not mean that’s not what it is clearly about.

You are right that he has shown his exemplary character over and over again, but here you are caring enough to express your hatred anyway. We know you could care less, because here you are caring, when you meant to say you couldn’t care less. But hey, that’s what dopes do!

Who cares if Brady doesn’t shake hands with every single player on the field? I’ve seen tons of players sprint off of the field at the end of games and they don’t shake anyone’s hands. Yet only Brady gets called out for not doing it. Clearly he has other ways to congratulate his opponents.

ajwalkin123 says:
February 9, 2018 at 11:48 am
Brady has no ability he is a system qb every pass is to a wide open receiver Brady is a stiff can’t run can’t catch can’t do anything except throw 10 yard passes to wide open receivers
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I think you’re looking at the wrong team. Nick Foles, not the great Carson Wentz just took the eagles to and win the SB. Just plug em into Pederson’s system and anyone can win a SB, what more proof do
You need?

The Pats have been in enough Superbowls (won and lost) to know that you do not want to be on the field when the clock ticks 0. That’s why Brady and the rest of the team hurried off the field. They congratulated the Eagles players off the field though and that was highly displayed by the media. So attacking them for your incorrect perception is simply a matter of misplaced animosity. But since your team won I’m really not sure why you still hold such animosity rather than being super-happy they now have a banner, trophy, and rings. Talk about looking small.

Again. This is not a football story. I could care less about how Brady feels (it’s all BS anyway, his true character has shown over and over again), I could care less about his or anyone’s instagram account. I want to hear about football.
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But you take the time to read the article and comment on it—–that makes no sense.

Dignity is subjective. Sorta like Brady leaving the field before shaking hands. Is that dignified? I’m sure you’ll make up excuses how it is.
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Nope, no need to make up excuses or be subjective, just look at the actual facts in that he Did congratulate Eagles players. It’s the SB, not a week 3 game. When the bell tolls, confetti is flying, Gatorade baths, teammates tackling each other in pure happiness, yet you want Brady to say ‘excuse nick, shake my hand please?’ Gotta understand the situation man. And others have said. He did congratulate them in the locker room

Why doesn’t Brady shake hands when he loses a Superbowl? Every time he wins, the other QB congratulates him. But when he loses, why does he get to run off the field without congratulating the other QB?

I think this is a fair question for Brady

He does shake hands. In the locker room, in private. You can google the pics if you don’t believe me.

raiderston says:
February 9, 2018 at 11:37 am
Hope he thanks Walt Colman for the truck rule that kicked off his carrer.
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I assume most Raider fans are over this, but for the rest of you, are you ever going to let it go? It was 17 years ago, get a life!

fireroger says:
February 9, 2018 at 12:11 pm
It’s a simple mantra that really extends to every team in every fan base. If you’re going to make cheating claims do the fans a favor and prove it actually happened. Don’t double down on stupid banking on PR naive fans will gobble it up whole.
The Yankees hate is founded in jealousy. Pure and simple. All things being equal that sounds more plausible with regard to the Patriots than propagating a myth about regional arrogance.
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^^^^ this … same with teams like Steelers, Celtics, Lakers, Cowboys, Raiders, etc i.e., any team that experienced success over a long period of time. Only difference today is that with social media, the hatred is immediate and more visible. Unless its an arch rival, no one hates a losing organization, being hated is a badge of honor and comes with the territory.

ahummler72 says:
February 9, 2018 at 12:31 pm
Classy? lol…. How about shaking the hand of the opposing QB at the end of the game !
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Again, ask Cox and Ertz if he shook hands at the end of the game. The answer might make a few posters look a bit petty.

mball13 says:
February 9, 2018 at 12:52 pm
God forbid we besmirch the name of Tom Brady…funny how NE fans can only handle winning
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Is it really asking too much to do it with facts.

Come on people. Raise the bar. Even if it’s an inch.

Do what you need to do just do it with facts. Or don’t complain when NE fans call you out on it. Sheesh.

steelcurtainn says:
February 9, 2018 at 12:57 pm
I guess class means spygate, deflategate, cheating, lying, whining and not shake the other teams hand after you lose in multiple superbowls. Sorry, a guy like this cant be classified as classy or the goat.
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There’s probably a solid argument to be made that you don’t need to be classy to be the GOAT. IMO, Brady is both. I’m just pointing out they are probably mutually exclusive from each other.

But sure, lets pat him on the back for shaking random players hands that I’m sure he seeks out.

He only shakes hands with opposing QBs when *he* wins. When he loses he bails. Thus, he is a poor loser. Sorry.
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Translation: It’s not enough to shake hands with certain players. Despite every player doing that same thing week in and week out.

But sure, lets pat him on the back for shaking random players hands that I’m sure he seeks out.

He only shakes hands with opposing QBs when *he* wins. When he loses he bails. Thus, he is a poor loser. Sorry.
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Translation: It’s not enough to shake hands with certain players. Despite every player doing that same thing week in and week out.
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New Translation:

Now that I’ve realized Brady actually shook hands with Eagles players I will move the post to make certain Brady still looks bad.

dsigrey says:
February 9, 2018 at 12:44 pm
ajwalkin123 says:
February 9, 2018 at 11:48 am
Brady has no ability he is a system qb every pass is to a wide open receiver Brady is a stiff can’t run can’t catch can’t do anything except throw 10 yard passes to wide open receivers
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Don’t be this guy…

40 3 Rate This
bert1913 says:
February 9, 2018 at 12:44 pm
Grateful that he didn’t get caught cheating this year

Fixed that for you, bud. Carry on.
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LOL Brady clearly congratulated multiple Eagles players after the Super Bowl. And yet here you are still whining about how that somehow isn’t enough. Sorry but I can’t (nor am I even remotely willing to try to) fix that.

steelcurtainn says:
February 9, 2018 at 12:57 pm
I guess class means spygate, deflategate, cheating, lying, whining and not shake the other teams hand after you lose in multiple superbowls. Sorry, a guy like this cant be classified as classy or the goat.

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Did you read the other comments about what he did after the game? Or just jump to conclusions like always?

Starting your day with gratitude, is how you improve. It’s how you get better one day at a time. That’s a hell of a way to start the off season Tom. Teammates, free agents, and draft picks take note as the Mix For Six is assembled….

Complete Class act. Brady and his wife actually let the Eagles celebrate their victory and then Hung outside the locker room to congratulate them individually. Unheard of Today in the Classless NFL. I Salute you you Tom Brady!

The classless jerk didn’t have the class to shake hands with Nick Foles. He did not want to experience the embarrassment in public. That’s not what a classy person does. All these homers saying he’s classy would be all over Foles if he’d lost the game to Brady and then snubbed Brady. Hypocrites!

Did you read the other comments about what he did after the game? Or just jump to conclusions like always?
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Yeah sure did, what I seen was a grown crybaby trying to jog off to the exit as fast as he could.

This is why people hate Eagles fans. They will fight you tooth and nail over the smallest thing even though there is an abundance of evidence to prove them wrong. Every Eagle player could go on TV and say that Brady is a class act and wrote them each a personal congratulations card and they’d still come back with, “but he didn’t shake Foles’ hand.”

This doesn’t make you “the best fans” it makes you (seem) unintelligent.
The cognitive dissonance is astounding.

ajwalkin123 says:
February 9, 2018 at 11:48 am
Brady has no ability he is a system qb every pass is to a wide open receiver Brady is a stiff can’t run can’t catch can’t do anything except throw 10 yard passes to wide open receivers

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Belichick is 18-19 without Brady starting as Pats head coach. And brady just broke his own SB record for passing yards in a SB against the 5th best defensive DVOA team in the NFL without his two best WRs. Sorry to eat your lunch man.